University of Missouri Extension

GH6121, Reviewed August 2004

Infant and Toddler Basics: Development During the First Three Years

Amy HalliburtonMU Graduate Student

Sara GableState Specialist, Human Development and Family Studies

Between birth and age three, children rapidly achieve many important milestones that create the foundation for later growth and development. Early in life, babies depend on others to meet their needs for safety and security. When infants receive warm, consistent care and attention from adults, they are able to establish a sense of trust in the world. They learn that important caregivers will feed them, change them, bathe them, and play with them. This trust serves as an important first step for children's development during the toddler years, a time when children establish independence by exploring their environment. If toddlers trust their caregivers and use them as a secure base from which to explore, they are more confident in their efforts to learn about the world. Furthermore, when children become afraid or encounter danger, they have the confidence to turn away and return to their secure base for reassurance and protection. Toddlers also experience a new sense of self-awareness that grows from their increasing desire to do things for themselves. In other words, toddlers become more independent each and every day. For toddlers, learning to feed themselves and becoming toilet trained are important and exciting accomplishments. These markers provide the necessary starting point for growth and learning during the preschool years.

Helping children feel safe and secure during infancy and later encouraging toddlers' exploration are important responsibilities for adults. Children who trust their caregivers are more likely to confidently explore their surroundings and establish a sense of healthy independence. And, as children begin to establish their independence, a positive sense of self-control and self-esteem emerges. Caring adults have a wonderful opportunity to foster children's independence and, in turn, their positive sense of self. The following information provides general knowledge about children's development during infancy and toddlerhood, including physical development, thinking and learning, expressing feelings, awareness of self and others, and communication. Specific suggestions for how adults can positively influence children's development are offered. Special attention is also paid to several issues that are particularly important during infancy and toddlerhood, particularly:

Toilet training

Biting

Development between birth and 30 months

Each child grows and develops at his or her own rate. Children display developmental landmarks at different times. The tableb elow lists characteristics that children between the ages of birth and 2-1/2 typically display as they grow and develop. For each type of development (e.g., physical, communication), characteristics for younger children are listed first, followed by the characteristics that children display as they get older (i.e., younger children's characteristics are at the top of each list, older children's are at the bottom).

Development table: Physical

Birth to 8 month

Characteristics

Reaches towards interesting objects

Puts hand/objects in mouth

Repeatedly grasps and releases objects

Lifts and holds up head

Sits up alone

Rolls over

Crawl

What can adults do?

Give your baby objects to hold, poke, wave, and grab. Make sure the object is too big to fit completely in baby's mouth.

Support baby's neck and head when picking up or laying down.

Strengthen neck muscles by playing games where baby moves eyes/head from side to side (e.g., move a toy slowly back and forth in front of baby's face).

8 to 18 months

Characteristics

Sits in chairs

Pulls self to stand

Walks when led, then alone

Throws objects

Climbs stairs

Walks backwards

Cooperates during dressing

Handles finger foods

Uses spoons and cups

Scribbles with crayons

What can adults do?

Make sure your child has a safe environment to explore. Anything that a baby might use to pull himself/herself up with must be sturdy and fastened down to support his/her weight.

Try to avoid using walkers, as they can be dangerous and interfere with normal muscle and joint development. If you do use a walker, make sure your home is safe (e.g., close doors, put gates at top of stairways; move all electrical cords out of reach, provide smooth surfaces, keep children away from water sources such as bathtubs and toilets).

Development table: Communication

Birth to 8 month

Body movements such as cuddling, eye contact, and arm or leg movements used to communicate

Babbles and talks to self

Looks at objects when named

What can adults do?

Babies love to hear their parents' voices — talk to your baby often, both with words and smiles.

Always find out the reason a baby is crying. When he/she needs to be comforted, try different strategies to soothe him/her such as feeding, burping, changing the diaper, holding him/her in a different position, singing softly, or taking him/her for a ride in her stroller.

Give meaning to your baby's communicative efforts (e.g., when baby smiles and grunts, say, "Oh, you smiled! You must be happy!").

8 to 18 months

Characteristics

Uses gestures to communicate needs and wants Learns and uses more words

Narrate events that are happening as you interact with your child (e.g., "You bounced the ball. I caught the ball, now I am rolling the ball to you.")

18 to 36 months

Characteristics

Sentences used to communicate feelings and needs

Listens to stories

What can adults do?

Read lots of books.

Engage in frequent conversation with your child, emphasizing turn-taking. Be sure to follow your child's lead during the conversation.

Toilet training

Most children successfully master toilet training by the age of 3. This is an important marker of independence for toddlers, as they gain more control of their own bodies. Parents and other important caregivers play a critical role in facilitating this transition in their children's lives. Children need extra attention and affection during this time. With support from teachers and child care providers, parents can make toilet training a successful learning experience. Listed below are tips for toilet training your child.

Look for signs that indicate your child is ready to start toilet training

Awareness of a wet diaper or bowel movement in diaper

Uses words to express needs

Familiarity with toileting (through observation and discussion)

Girls can usually be toilet trained earlier, at around 18 months or later, than boys, who usually begin toilet training at around 22 months or later.

Plan aheadPick an easy weekend/weekday when few other activities are going on to start toilet training. Read books about potty training and talk about it. Be sure to have a lot of training pants ready.

Start in the morningAs soon as your child wakes up, suggest that he or she try sitting on the potty. If he or she refuses, simply skip it and try again later.

Morning readingAfter eating breakfast, gather a few of your child's favorite books. Have him/her sit on the potty and read. Make sure books have interesting pictures and a good story, as your goal is to encourage him/her to sit there for a while and relax. Since he/she has just eaten and drank at breakfast, chances are good that at least some urine will come out. Praise your child's success. Let him/her flush and wash up.

Once an hourPlan for a timer to go off every hour. When it does, tell your child with enthusiasm that it is "Time to go again!" or "Time to look at more books!" Avoid asking if they want or need to go potty during the training stage — they really do not know whether they need to go. When you ask, you give the child a chance to say "No," which is a legitimate response.

AccidentsToilet training is a new skill that children learn through practice and experimentation. It is okay if your child has an accident. Stay calm and reassure your child that it is okay. Let the child help clean up and change his or her clothes, which allows him or her to feel good about the things he or she can do.

Be consistent Once your child is ready to begin toilet training, commit to it. Do not switch back and forth from diapers to underwear — it is confusing and the child loses his or her sense of control over the process.

Be supportive You can facilitate toilet training by talking about it with your child, by accompanying your child to the bathroom when you drop him or her off at school, and by providing lots of extra clothes that your child can pull on and off on his or her own.

Share the planWhen getting ready to begin potty training your child, be sure to share your plan (e.g., a written summary) with other important adults in your child's life (e.g., child care providers).

Biting

Whenever a child bites another person, it is upsetting for everyone. Biting is common among very young children, particularly in group settings such as child care. It is very important for adults to understand why children bite so that they can help children find more appropriate ways to express themselves. The chart on page 6 lists reasons children bite, strategies to help prevent biting, and strategies for responding to biting.

Reasons children bite and strategies to prevent biting

Biting satisfies their strong need for independence and control.

Give children opportunities to express their independence and self-control by providing them plenty of choices (e.g., what to wear that day; what game to play; what to eat for lunch).

Teething makes babies mouths hurt.

Give babies an object to mouth on, such as a teething toy or a frozen bagel.

They are trying to approach or initiate interaction with another child.

Make sure children have plenty of opportunities to interact with one another. Point out and praise their positive interactions.

They are seeking attention.

Give children lots of attention during the day. Cuddle with them, play with them, read to them.

They are angry or frustrated.

Be aware of children's feelings. Watch for signs of potential conflict and increasing frustration.

They are experimenting and want to know what will happen if they bite.

Provide children activities and toys that offer a variety of sensorymotor experiences (e.g., water play, playdough, fingerpainting). Help them learn about cause and effect.

They are feeling threatened.

Assure children that they are safe and that their possessions are safe. Give children lots of affection.

Strategies for responding to biting

Sometimes prevention efforts do not stop children from biting. When a child bites another person, the adults in charge should consistently respond to each biting episode; specific strategies and ideas are listed below:

State clearly that it is not okay to bite.

Be sure that the child who is bitten is cared for. Comfort the child; put on an ice pack to prevent bruising; clean the wound if the skin is broken.

If possible, have the child who bit help care for the child who was bitten.

Look for patterns of biting (e.g., Does the child bite near mealtime? When the environment gets too loud?).

Try to identify changes in the child's life that might trigger the biting (e.g., divorce, a new sibling).

Seek help (start with your pediatrician and/or child care provider) if the biting does not stop or if it becomes more vicious.

Conclusion

Children grow rapidly during infancy and toddlerhood. They accomplish many milestones, including establishing a sense of trust in the world during infancy and finding their independence in toddlerhood. Adults have the important task of providing children varied opportunities to promote their development during infancy and toddlerhood. Using the suggestions that have been offered will help adults to foster a positive, creative environment wherein children can thrive.